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When Kelly and Alex reached out to me about eloping in Moab, I was initially very excited. They’re a Utah couple themselves, and while I get a lot of people who want to have their dream elopement in Utah, not many of them live in this beautiful state. So when they told me that Moab was their dream wedding destination, I was already pretty excited.
When they mentioned they also happened to love rafting, I was over the moon excited.
Alex and Kelly didn’t approach me with the idea of a rafting elopement. They knew they wanted a no-frills, organic wedding that was perfect for them. They weren’t interested in anything fussy or stressful. Ultimately, they wanted an intentional day that was focused on their love–and they wanted it in a beautiful place that was special to them.
But when I started to get to know them, hear about their interests, and really dive into the things they love doing together, they mentioned rafting was one of their top hobbies.
So, we started brainstorming. And I asked them–why not raft on your elopement day?
Kelly and Alex are immediately one of the best examples I can think of when I talk about doing what you love on your elopement day. They wanted a beautiful day centered on them. They wanted to include their loved ones. They wanted an intimate ceremony, plenty of time on the river, and a reception with their closest people during their big day. They wanted a day that was all about every moment spent together.
They knew what they wanted, and once we connected the dots together, it felt like everything for their Utah rafting elopement trip fell into place.
On the day of their wedding, we piled into two rafts filled with supplies, loved ones, and one of the most special guests of all–their beloved pup Wilco. The first part of their day was an absolute blast. With snacks and a cooler packed, their little crew of supporters rafted down the Green River with them, scouting out beautiful spots, enjoying the landscape, sipping beers, and floating the day away.
Because Alex and Kelly knew the area and loved rafting, they actually did the legwork scouting out the perfect place for their elopement ceremony. After a while rafting down the river, we approached their spot–a gorgeous little beach dotted with cottonwood trees. Moab’s rock formations towered over the beach.
No matter how many times you explore Southern Utah, the beauty of it never wears away. Seeing it from this angle–rafting down a wild river that carved through canyons and wove through giant rock faces–was like seeing it through entirely new eyes.
When we arrived at the beach, Kelly and Alex found private spots to change into their wedding attire. Under a gorgeous, shaded tree, their two dearest friends took turns officiating their wedding.
Each had a script, and as they read heartfelt, beautiful words, the emotions poured out. Kelly and Alex shared their own private, handwritten vows with each other. This ceremony was wholly unique and exactly what they wanted. Who says you need to have a single officiant?
Eloping is all about choosing your own path–and Kelly and Alex did this in every way on their elopement day.
Kelly and Alex soaked in these beautiful moments, surrounded by a few of their loved ones.
It had already been a full day, packed with exploration, adventure, joy, and genuine emotion. But it was truly just the beginning of what Kelly and Alex had planned.
Now decked out in their wedding attire, we all climbed back into the rafts, continuing our journey down the winding river. We picked another spot to stop at and enjoy. Out came the coolers filled with snacks, sandwiches, and beer. Everyone celebrated with and snacked on delicious donuts that spelled out “ Just Married” and “K ♥ A.”
After a delicious lunch, we took to the rafts again. This time, with their wedding reception as our destination. After floating down the river a bit longer, we arrived at another beach–here, the rest of their family and friends were waiting to celebrate Kelly and Alex. The newly married couple climbed out of the raft, hugged their family and friends, and truly celebrated their new lives together in a perfect-for-them way.
We spent the cooler parts of the afternoon wandering through the beautiful landscape of Dead Horse Point State Park together. The sun sank lower as the pastel colors of the desert came into full effect.
Stunning, casual, and incredibly cool–those are the words that come to mind when I think back on Kelly and Alex’s day. They chose a day that was deeply intentional and meaningful to who they are. They picked an elopement timeline that made sense for them and opted for traditions (and non-traditions) that felt right. Above all, they made sure each moment counted and were fully present in every second.
It’s my deepest hope that every couple–no matter how they’re getting married–chooses a day like this one. A day that’s meaningful. A day that’s beautiful. But mostly, a day that’s true to who they are.
